Ya know, being shown the photos without the sense of self-righteous, in-yer-face arrogance would have made me less critical of this whole stupid, sickening futile display of American triumphalism. But this report from the Associated Press of the display of the mutilated and made up bodies, pretty much nails the coffin shut on any credibility the US had in this debate. This reads more like the FBI displaying the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde, doesn't it?

From AP:

"The images of Odai and Qusai Hussein published Thursday had raised criticism by showing only the brothers' faces and upper chests - the faces obscured by heavy beards, blood and gashes - and giving no indication of height.

By contrast, the military showed journalists, including an Associated Press reporter, the autopsied bodies covered only by sheets and presented identifying evidence, including dental records and a rod from Odai's leg.

Odai's beard had been trimmed to the length he had worn it in life. Qusai's beard was shaved off and he had only a mustache, his trademark. The faces appeared waxy and heavily made up.

Morticians removed a large gash that had cut across the middle of Odai's face. Odai's abdomen had been riddled with bullets, and the torsos of both brothers bore large Y-shaped incisions.

Autopsy incisions were also visible on Odai's left leg, where doctors removed the 8-inch long bar inserted after a 1996 assassination attempt. A piece of leg bone taken out with the bar was wrapped in plastic and lying next to his body on the gurney."

Mind, I know these men were butchers, but what does that make us for engaging in this sort of macabre exercise?